I have been through this cave more than a few times looking for the remnants of the saltpeter mining operations there. I'm actually more of a local history buff than a "caver" and seek out old historical sites. The back entrance comes out across the road in the mouth of Newsome Sinks. I have also been told there is another entrance in the lower levels and that you can also come out at the spring just down the road. I've never found any of the lower entrances, even with all the times I have been through it, but that doesn't mean they don't exist and I don't believe you can get into or out of Hughes from the spring either unless diving was involved.

Another little tidbit about the cave. I knew a couple of the Voyles brothers, before they died a few years ago, who lived there during the 20's and 30's. Amos Voyles told me that they used to hold a candle light dance in the big room of Hughes back then until they came in one evening and the roof had fallen in. I am guessing this is all the breakdown rocks that can be seen today in the main room. If you like the historical things about that area and some of he things about the saltpeter mining and production, talk to the man on top of the mountain at the Union Hill store and ask him if he will show you his scrap books of old newspaper articles and historical documents about the area. You could spend all day just talking with him!

PoplarHill wrote:I have been through this cave more than a few times looking for the remnants of the saltpeter mining operations there. I'm actually more of a local history buff than a "caver" and seek out old historical sites. The back entrance comes out across the road in the mouth of Newsome Sinks. I have also been told there is another entrance in the lower levels and that you can also come out at the spring just down the road. I've never found any of the lower entrances, even with all the times I have been through it, but that doesn't mean they don't exist and I don't believe you can get into or out of Hughes from the spring either unless diving was involved.

Another little tidbit about the cave. I knew a couple of the Voyles brothers, before they died a few years ago, who lived there during the 20's and 30's. Amos Voyles told me that they used to hold a candle light dance in the big room of Hughes back then until they came in one evening and the roof had fallen in. I am guessing this is all the breakdown rocks that can be seen today in the main room. If you like the historical things about that area and some of he things about the saltpeter mining and production, talk to the man on top of the mountain at the Union Hill store and ask him if he will show you his scrap books of old newspaper articles and historical documents about the area. You could spend all day just talking with him!

Thanks, I found the owner of the cave. We are in talks with them to let us take the cave over and build a gate to keep people out.

stx2006 wrote:Thanks, I found the owner of the cave. We are in talks with them to let us take the cave over and build a gate to keep people out.

I know just about all the land owners through the valley and in Newsome Sinks. Most of the folks up that way have had the land in their families for generations and they are every connected to the land and the quickest way to get ran off or told not to come back is to start telling them how to manage their land. That's just the way it is and it's also the reason just about everything up through there is on a Closed List to any organized groups. My advice is just get to know them and be buddies with them and leave it at that. You don't have to take my word for it, just look how many people are allowed to go through the caves in the area, but as soon as someone mentions being part of an organization, it's CLOSED. When you start wanting to take over, gate entrances or manage their property, you'll be asked not to come back. I've seen it happen time and time again here.

stx2006 wrote:Thanks, I found the owner of the cave. We are in talks with them to let us take the cave over and build a gate to keep people out.

I know just about all the land owners through the valley and in Newsome Sinks. Most of the folks up that way have had the land in their families for generations and they are every connected to the land and the quickest way to get ran off or told not to come back is to start telling them how to manage their land. That's just the way it is and it's also the reason just about everything up through there is on a Closed List to any organized groups. My advice is just get to know them and be buddies with them and leave it at that. You don't have to take my word for it, just look how many people are allowed to go through the caves in the area, but as soon as someone mentions being part of an organization, it's CLOSED. When you start wanting to take over, gate entrances or manage their property, you'll be asked not to come back. I've seen it happen time and time again here.

Well I didn't know it but we are kinda family to the owners. That's why they are letting me do it.

hey my name is james bowen back in 1989 i was in hughes cave.IT was great, no paint inside on walls,it was clean and nice.i loved it,it was the first cave that big that i have ever been in.there was also a waterfall up the road from it that we would jump from a cliff into the water.i have some pics of the waterfall and the cliff.back then the road was a graveroad.had alot of fun there.i live in huntington,wv. now and would love to find some caves like that up here.It's a shame that people would trash a cave that was so great.would love to see pics before it got trashed.wish now that i would have taken some back in 1989.so sad.i was in the army and at red stone,i was 23years old and loved that place.now i am 54 years old,and would love to see that place again.i have told my son about it and how great it was.wish i could take him there one day is he could see it.if anyone has pics or knows anything about it.please send pics or PM me at james.d.bowen63@gmail.com would love to here from you. and thanks p.s. i am also into rock climbing.stay safe.